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Post by Deft on Jan 4, 2008 1:28:50 GMT -5
"I'm terribly jealous of you, you know," he said, addressing the flowering, pale gold mosaics above his head rendering the image of the beaming Sun God with a mighty staff and mighty furling, sun-streaked waves of light crashing in a froth about him, "You get a temple. I don't get a temple. All the mortals like to say," his voice swung several octaves, and, his voice a whistle, he said, "'Oh, fantastic, look it's day time," his voice broke into a snarl, saying, "Well where in the world would they bloody be if it wasn't for me, eh? Darkness is just as grand as all your daylight, and yet, I do not get a temple." He sighed, perhaps overly so, and kept his faced in a fixed expression of dark envy until he flashed into light, bell-lit laughter; he had clearly been angered only in jest.
Stretching out and wondering at his own insanity (the God of Sun had not been present, and, clearly, he had not heard him) and thinking it marvelous that he might actually get to experience madness, his hand uncrumpled in the air above his wash of hair and he settled deeper into his seat, content with marveling at the fine art of mortals until he chose his next wander point.
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Post by Valora Desmond on Jan 6, 2008 11:44:50 GMT -5
Valora sat on horseback, her loyal friend and stallion Freedon, beneath her. Elves treated all animals with respect, henceforth most of them were vegetarians, like herself. Freedon, being an elven horse, could communicate with Valora in her mind and was stronger and durable then a normal horse, making him perfect for battle. He was also great at giving advice and Valora cared deeply for him. The stallion was a completely white, except for the small silvery spot on his forehead where he had been blessed with magic. We can stop here. Valora told the stallion in her head. The large horse slowed and then allowed Valora to jump off lithely.
The sound of someone speaking caught her sharp ears, it seemed to be coming from the Sun God's temple. She had been sent by the Elders here to perform the Ritual of the Sun, really a fancy name for giving an offering and prayer to the sun god for her people. It had been a long trip and she was exhausted, though curious. Stepping lightly, she emerged from the woods and walked towards the temples entrance. Inside there was a man, with white hair like her. Not many had hair like her own, and he seemed to be admiring the artwork. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" She said softly, a hand placed lightly on a marble column.
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Post by Deft on Jan 6, 2008 16:10:40 GMT -5
"Heartbreakingly."
He swung to his feat, his powdered hair wafting lightly as he did so, and extended his slender, wintery hand to her, his frosty eyes torn in smile. "My name is-"
Oh, fantastic- he got to make up a name, let's see.... Aha- he had grown very found of that one horse, what was it's name...
"Reslin. What brings you to the temple?"
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Post by Valora Desmond on Jan 6, 2008 18:50:01 GMT -5
"Work." She replied, not wanting to declare to a stranger that she was the Elven Queen, not exactly a smart thing to do. "Though I do love the architecture." She added in her usual musical tone. "A pleasure, Reslin. I'm Valora." She shook his outstretched hand and then released it, her head tilting upward to admire the ceiling, her silky white hair shimmering in the sunlight that shone through the windows. 'What brings you to the temple, if you don't mind me asking?"
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Post by Deft on Jan 6, 2008 19:12:32 GMT -5
He looked toward the girl, feeling very amused and rightly fascinated (she was the queen of the elves- he had taken notice since she was born [he made a point to be familiar with most of the mortal royalties, especially those of her caliber; her story was very interesting...) that she had answered "work," he took her question into consideration.
"Prayer, I suppose it may be deemed..." His voice folded in on laughter, enjoying his own irony. He bent again, allowing himself to slip into a seat and looked back to her, smiling lightly.
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Post by Valora Desmond on Jan 26, 2008 21:26:46 GMT -5
Valora nodded, examining the man lightly. He seemed to have a pleasant disposition, and did not seem like someone who posed any threat. Valora returned the smile with a small one of her own, letting her elegant fingers dance across the marble. This place was truly beautiful and inspiring, but she had work to do. She approached an elegantly carved alter, a large mural of the sun rising and a godly looking figure raising his hands was behind it, lit with candles and full of colors. Valora started to whisper softly in the elven language, moving her hands up and down in a gentle motion.
Waves of magic weaved from her fingertips in waves of silver, glowing and sparkling. They twirled and danced, then formed a single candle. It was ever lasting flame, and was placed here as the offering from the elves. The candles that flickered at the alter were all ones from centuries before and decorated the entire area, where hundreds of them sat, their flames flickering cheerily. In the elven language, she spoke a prayer for her people and then got down to her knees and closed her eyes. Once she was done, she rose and took a deep breathe. The ritual was draining and took many weeks of preparation. After all, creating an everlasting flame was not an easy task.
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Post by Deft on Jan 26, 2008 21:42:45 GMT -5
He watched with sparkling intrigue at the waves of star-brushed light fluttered from her lengthy fingers and twisted into flame- she had very much skill for someone so young: though it was not everyone who could rule the elves, was it? He had strict admiration for her, especially considering the circumstances of her reign... But he would have to be careful if he wanted to keep that he knew of her a secrete... but, then again- the mark on her cheek showed clearly what she was: so perhaps he was in not so precarious a situation as he thought...
"Beautiful, my lady," he said lightly.
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Post by Valora Desmond on Jan 26, 2008 21:49:50 GMT -5
Valora sighed, a dazed look in her eyes and she breathed in deeply. She felt considerably strong, considering how much energy she had just used, and pushed herself of the ground steadily. Showing weakness was not an option. When Reslin spoke, she snapped her head around, her bright eyes returning to their normal inquisitive state. For that one moment she had appeared young and naive. Valora wished more then anything to be that way, but she was a queen, one who had to be a strong and seemingly invincible leader.
"Thank you." She replied softly, feeling strangely at peace. Her parents had spoken of how this ritual made you feel very light, very free. It seemed to lift any burden from you, and it was truly how she felt. Like there was no war, no drought, nothing at all that was troubling. Valora saw his eyes graze her cheek, where the sacred mark of her family lay on her skin. He seemed to know more then he let on, and suddenly she felt suspicious. It appeared clearly in her eyes, seemingly challenging him.
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Post by Deft on Jan 26, 2008 22:01:37 GMT -5
A light hand came to his chest- ah, so she was clever as well... He could read the expression she gave effortlessly, he had seen it so many times...
He gave a soft smile and said,
"I thought it rude to let on immediately I knew who you were, my lady. You had not told me- I thought I would let you tell me first. But I know your look." He paused, and said, "It is an honor, of course, to be in your presence. I could tell from the mark." He brushed lightly his cheek where her etching was, and added, "Of course- it is no trouble to give a compliment to those who deserve it." He smiled broader, addressing her 'thank you,' and, with a bit of worry, said, "Ought I get you water or... I heard that can be draining, even on the strongest."
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Post by Valora Desmond on Jan 28, 2008 21:04:38 GMT -5
Valora scrutinized the man lightly. He had soft ways, unlike any man, elf or human, that she had ever seen. It was strangely intriguing, and Valora wasn't sure why. She waved her hand at his comment about 'being in her presence an honor'. "Say that once you've gotten to know me. Just because I'm royalty doesn't mean you should be so kind to me. I'll give you the chance to loathe me and find me a foul and horrible beast." Valora smiled playfully.
It was incredibly easy to talk to Reslin and she already felt comfortable with him. Though she had to be careful, he could be an assassin in disguise. Unlikely, but possible. "I'm fine, though that is very kind of you. I'll just rest for a bit and then have to be on my way." She had affairs to attend to back at home and assorted royal engagements to attend. The elders had begun to choose potential suitors for her. Yuck...
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Post by Deft on Jan 28, 2008 22:05:35 GMT -5
"I am kind to be kind, my lady." He smiled, laughing lightly, "Though I'd be happy to get to know your monstrous disposition." He looked about idly, and, decided to ease himself into conversation:
"We match." He gestured at his hair, laughing once again, and then was struck with sudden curiosity, "Where will you go, my lady? Once you have recovered?" And, worried about how that might come off, he added, "Feel free to withhold the information, of course."
He settled comfortably into the bright wood of the pew, the light folding about him nicely, shimmering delicately off his pale locks.
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Post by Valora Desmond on Feb 8, 2008 19:18:53 GMT -5
"Let us hope not, for your sake." She laughed too, it was so easy to talk to this strange man. She didn't feel suspicious or stressed out as usually did. It was all very... ethereal. "Back to my home, and back to royal duties." She made a face and stuck out her tongue. "The Elders have been planning on finding suitors for me..." Valora murmured softly, not really speaking to Reslin, but more to herself. The thought of marriage frightened her. She did not want to marry a man she did not love, just because he was 'a suitable match'.
"I'm sorry, I'm just dumping my frustrations on you." Valora apologized in her soft voice. "'Tis the trouble with having so much responsibility." She muttered softly, hazel eyes wandering to the beauty of the temple.
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Post by Deft on Feb 9, 2008 21:24:36 GMT -5
Responsibility.
He could relate, to say the least.
"Suitors? You seem to be doing a fine job by yourself," he told her lightly, his face dimming slightly, shaded with a bit of seriousness, "Is it the traditional place of women that is their cause?"
That upset him- he had been there when humans were created, he saw the stuffing of their shimmering souls- men and women were made of the same fluttering substance internally, you hardly needed to be one or the other to lead.
"And do not guilt yourself," he laughed, and added, "I should like to unload my woes more then I do. I ought to, for my own sanity. It is good to see you unwind."
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Post by Valora Desmond on Feb 11, 2008 17:24:33 GMT -5
Valora nodded absentmindedly, her eyes flickering with a strange light. She did not like to seem weak, or easily controlled, but not being able to choose who she loved was indeed making her feel both. It frustrated her, that the Elders could just decide how she lived her life when she had a higher position then they did. The though annoyed her, though she would never admit it. Lifting a pale hand, she reached out and stroked the marble of a column yet again, it was comforting feeling, and the repeition calmed her down, strangely enough.
"Glad it pleasures you so. It is far to true that I keep things inside more then I should, quite unhealthy, for one thing." She spoke softly, and then brushed her snow-white hair out of her face. She should probably put it up, otherwise it bothered her far to much and her hair was the least of her worries.
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Post by Deft on Feb 12, 2008 2:03:39 GMT -5
He felt a catch of sympathy in his throat- even though he knew too well that she would not want it- and noted the odd sensation of it: he walked often in his mortal form, but he often enjoyed more exuberant circumstances, and it was not often he had cause to feel pity in mortal form when there was so much to enjoy and take it- the mortal world was truly a fascinating place...
What frustrated him more, however, was that there was little he could do to help- standing idly by was not something he thought honorable, but unless he intended to take control of the mortal world (and that had gone terribly the last time a God tried), he could not see a way to be of more use.
So, he decided to swing the topic- philosophy was always a nice distraction. And he fancied knowing her opinion on such matters- she was ideal conversation, to say the least.
"I have never been in love." He spoke honestly- he had thought himself in love before, of course, but...
"But I have read much of it. I am torn between the two different popular beliefs on it and am not sure what to hope for: searing, blistering, fever-like passion, or the whole 'clouds and sunshine' bit. The first is rather dramatic and sounds very interesting, but the second sounds less like torture." Pausing for his laughter, he then asked, "What do you think?"
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